Youngsters at a Stockton primary school really put their hearts and souls into a special “wear red” fundraising day.

Children from the nursery at Hartburn Primary School, on Adelaide Grove, all came to school dressed in something red as part of CHD (congenital heart disease) Awareness Week - all inspired by classmate Max French, four, who was born with half a heart.

As well as wearing red - and parents giving donations towards the Children’s Heart Unit Fund at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital - the youngsters took part in a number of red-themed activities and had a carpet picnic full of red food.

Young Max has undergone three open heart surgeries in his short life - the first just five days after he was born - but is now at the nursery enjoying a new lease of life following his most recent operation.

Prior to that Max’s heart was so weak he was constantly blue, lacking in energy, unable to fight off common colds and minor infections and constantly tired.

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Early years leader Jane Graham said: “Max’s mum contacted us to ask if we would get involved and we said of course we would.

“It’s been a really lovely day.

“We’ve been reading the book The Runaway Chapati, so it’s all tied in together - we’ve talked about healthy hearts and based it around being healthy.

“The children decided they wanted chapatis - well they were wraps really - with tomato sauce and tomatoes, and they’ve had biscuits with jam and jelly hearts. A parent also made them some chocolate hearts to take home.

“All the parents have been so generous and everyone has really enjoyed the day.

“When he first came here, Max took a bit of time to settle in. He was a bit embarrassed about his scar, but this week he’s been lifting his top and showing everyone. He’s felt like a celebrity!

It’s been good for him and it’s been a real learning experience for all the other the children.”